Full text of "Receipts and expenditures of the Town of Exeter"

See other formats

t^t^AAAAttAAA '-.ti.AAA/' ^t''^^^rtl^l^^^^l^^tll^^**«t^^f1^**^^t^*^^^^^^^^

^ I^ECEIPT^ Aj^D EXPENDITURE^ "^

OF THE

TOWN OF EXETER, N. H.

FOR THE

Financial Year Ending March 1, 1877,

WITH TIIK UEPoUTS « >F THE

ClIEHF ENGINEER, THE TREASURER O^^ THE
ROBINSON FEMALE SEMINARY, THE TOWN
LIBRARY (X)MMITTEE AND THE SUPER-
INTENDING SCHOOL CO^NIiAIITTEE.

AI>S(>, A UKJ'OKT OF THt

Prudential CfoiT(n(ittee of Di^strict ^o. 1.

EXETER, N. H.

GAZETTE STEAM PRINTING ESTABLISHMENT,
1877.

/TTT^TTTTTtTTITTTfTTTyTTTTTTfTTTTTtTTTTTtTTTTTTT T T t T T T T ♦ T T TTT->

University of New Hampshire
Library

F^JECEIPT^ kf\D EXPENDITURE^

of THE

TOWN OF EXETER, N. H.

FOR THE

Financial Year Ending March 1, 1877,

WITH THE REPORTS OF THE

CHIEF ENGINEER, THE TREASURER OF THE
ROBINSON FEMALE SEMINARY, THE TOWN
LIBRARY COMMITTEE AND THE SUPER-
INTENDING SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

ALSO, A REPORT OF THE

f^fudei^tikl doir|n|ittee of ©i^tridt j^[o. 1.

EXETER, N. H.

GAZETTE STEAM PRINTING KSTABLISHMENT,
1877.

SBLECTMEN,

WILLIAM B. MOfeRILL, Treasurer^
NATHANIEL G. GILMAN,
OLIVER L. GIDDINGS.

TOWN C1-ERK»

WILLIAM H. BELKNAP.

COLLECTOR OF TAXES,

JOSEPH N. HEAD.

SUPERINTE^NDINQ SCHOOL COMMITTEE;.

ALBERT C. PERKINS,
CHARLES BURLEY,
GEORGE A. TITCOMB.

LIBRARY COMMITTEE,

BRADBURY L. CILLEY,
CHARLES MARSEILLES.

LIBRARIAN,

ANNIE PALMER.

AUDITORS,.

JEWETT CONNER,
WILLIAM M. HUNNEWELL.

JANITOR,

ROBERT CARTER.

ENGINEERS,

BENJAMIN L. MERRILL, Chief,
JACOB CARLISLE,
CHARLES LANE,
ANDREW J. FOGG,
GARDINER GILMAN,
SAMUEL S. THYNG, Clerk.

POLICE OFFICERS,

WOODBRIDGE O. PERKINS,
JOHN CONNER,
EDMUND THURSTON,
MADISON SLEEPER,
B. A. ELLISON,
JOSEPH A. PALMER,
OTIS T. BUTRICK.

RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES
BY THE SELECTMEIST

For the Year Ending March 1, 1877.

EXPENDITURES.

Paid Town Bonds and Coupons,
Notes and interest,
Oliver L. Giddings, Dam, Robinson

Seminary,
Discount on taxes,

Exeter Gas Light Co., 1875, balance,
James Pike, land damages,
W. H. Harris, sheep killed by dogs,
S. J. Perkins, " « " "

Thomas Schinick, land damages,
Heirs Samuel Mason,
Non-resident taxes worked out,
Building Committee of engine houses.

S3401

3228

1000 00

532

854

6 00

100

500 GO

$9165 77

SUPPORT OF SCHOOLS.

Paid Prudential Committee, Dist. No. 1, $7052 57

" " " " 3, 216 00

" " " « 4, 201 06

" " " " 5, 301 69

« « " " 6, 196 86

Appropriation Literary Fund,

^PAN

$325

325

$7968 78
$7968 78

TOWN LIBRARY.
Paid Library Committee,
Appropriation,

$500 00
$500 00

EXETER GAS LIGHT CGI
Paid W. W. "West, Superintendent,
Balance unexpended.

00
00

Appropriation,

•

$650 00
650 00

STATE TAX.

Paid Solon A. Carter, State Treasurer,
Appropriation,

S4900 00
$4900 00

COUNTY TAX.

Paid George E. Lane, County Treasurer,
Appropriation,

$4979 48
$4979 48

FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Paid Engineers, S

Fountain No. 1,
Union No. 2,
Eagle Steamex" No. 1,
Pioneer No. 1,
Hook & Ladder,
Blake Hose Company,
Tilton & Fleming,
C. W. Young,

Edward Charlesworth, Engineer,
Edward Charlesworth, '•
Charles J. Smith, "

E. 0. Lovering, coal,
O. D. Witherell, "
Woodbury Berry,
Perkins & Co.,
Jerry Carter,
James I. Watson,
E. G. Lane,

Exeter Machine Works,
Dennis Murphy,
C. W. Colbath,
H. A. Coburn,
Eben French,
John Flanagan,
W. B. Greenleaf,
Exeter Gas Light Company,
Charles H. Harris,
Jerry Carter,
Charles H. Harris,
Edmund Thurston,
C. H. Towle,
John C. Dutch, wood,
Boston & Maine Railroad,

; 90

642

478

178

138

128

495

47 44

4 00

Paid C. W. Young,
G. W. Furnald,
C. K. Fifield,
W. 0. Perkins,
Exeter Gas Light Company,
Edward Charlesworth,
John Callahan,
J. N. B. Crummett,
Jerry W. Smith,
Asa Swett,
Rosw(3ll Peavey,
John F. Palmer,
Boston & Maine Railroad,
E. T. Garland,
S. A. Crummett,

Boston & Maine Railroad, rent of land,
Exeter Manufacturing Co., " " "
John S. Hayes,
Sylvester Cram,
C. N. Colbath,
Charles E. Currier,
Charles Lane,
J. I. Watson,
Exeter Machine Works,
Jacob Carlisle,
Exeter Iron Foundry,
Woodbury Berry,
Woodbury Berry,
John McAmsland,
Levi G. Towle,
• A. J. Fogg,
Josiah J. Folsom
C. D. Towle,

4 50

Paid J. L. Smith, 2 75

$2870 62
Appropriation, $2000 00

From Contingent Fund, 870 62

$2870 62

HIGHWAYS, BRIDGES AND S:

IDEWAI

Paid Brown & Warren, plank,

$568 91

John Flanagan,

478 39

Oliver L. Giddings, filling Lincoln St.,

317 00

Dennis Shea, tile,

240 00

Brown & Warren, lumber,

216 50

Oliver L. Giddings,

113 25

Gray & Cram, edge stones,

101 25

Oliver L. Giddings,

92 75

Samuel W. Leavitt, tile,

85 20

S. A. Brown,

60 00

William S. Brown,

56 25

John Flood,

51 50

John M. Wadleigh,

49 50

Est. George S. Yeaton, gravel,

41 75

L. B. Smith,

40 00

Daniel Smith, breaking roads, &c..

40 77

Zebulon G. Thing,

40 00

John W. Hall, old account,

40 00

John F. Palmer,

39 88

E.O. Lovering,

28 80

John S. Pike, breaking roads,

25 00

John Tilton,

23 00

John Oilman,

32 25

G. W. Nason,

19 37

Daniel A. Shaw,

16 63

Paid John W. Hall, 14 25

Thomas Warburton, 11 84

John W. Hall, 12 50

James W. Moulton, breaking roads, 10 00

C. H. Flood, 11 25

W. P. Moulton, 7 00

John T. G. Haley, 7 00

John F. Towie, breaking roads, 7 75

Christopher Elliott, 6 75

John P^'lanagan, 6 00

C. H. Flood, 75

^ L. B. Smith, 19 50

Christopher Elliott, 32 50

John Flood, 50 25

Charles H. Flood, 37 40

John Tilton, 72 00

William A. Moore, 35 62

Michael Allen, 13 12

Edward Giddings, 57 25

Estate Joseph T. Gibnan, 24 66

A. H. Weeks, 2 06

George W. Wiggin, breaking roads, 38 72

Jacob Carlisle, 1875, 147 80

Exeter Iron Foundry, 7 15

Jacob Carlisle, 18 00

Exeter Iron Foundry, 29 97

Joseph O. March, breaking roads, 21 25

William Conner, gravel, 15 75

Noah Barker, work on bridges, 41 71

Jewett Conner, 1875, 14 97

Noah Barker, breaking roads, 34 50

Jewett Conner, " « 20 80

Roswell Peavey, " « 24 90

L. B. Smith, 102 27

Paid 1>. F. Swasey, breaking roadri, 1875, 29 10

John T. G. Haley," " « 16 85

J. W. Koliinson, " « 6 00

Jolm Coffin, 4 87

Nicholas Rollins, breaking roads, 34 72

John W. Hall, 50 58

Oilman Barker, on account, 105 00

A. Merrill & Sons, 9 68

George W. Fernald, on account, 58 95

Edward Giddings, 1875, 27 00

Josiah J. Folsom, 15 00

Appropriation, $1,000 00

From contingent fund, 3,13o 18

64,133 18
,133 18

POLICE AND CONSTABLES.

Paid W. O. Perkins, Police officer,
Edmund Thurston, "
John Conner, "

Madison Sleeper, "

Joseph A. Palmer, "

B. A. Ellison, "

A. Wood, rent, "

W. S. Brown, notifying Town Officers,
Exeter Gas Light Co.,
Thomas Leavitt, Justice^

E. S. Durgin,

F. Palmer,

D. A. Shaw, Special Police,
John W. Hall, «

E. A. Leavitt, "
A. J. Currier, " a 00

$4(5 00

23 50

5 50

Paid Sewell L. Day, "

3 00

Jere Carter, "

3 00

Michael Foley, "

3 00

Eben French, "

3 00

B. G. Kelly,

3 00

Orville R. Drew, "

3 00

C. K. Fifield, "

3 00

Jefferson Maxwell, "

8 00

B. G. Kelly, Nov. "

3 00

0. R. Drew, Nov. **

3 OO

John S. Hayes, "

3 00

A. J. Curi'ier, Nov. **

3 00

Geo. A. Carlisle, '*

3 00

Stephen C. Gray, "

3 00

Albert Rankin, Mar.

and Nov. "

6 00

I. M, Watson, **

3 00

Woodbury Berry,

5 00

W. 0. Perkins, Fees Justice Trials,^

31 89

Joseph A. Palmer, "

10 74

W. 0. Perkins, setting glass. Lock-up, 2 00

John F. Palmer, Special Police,

3 00

A. J. Fogg, "

3 00

Wm. M. Hunnewell, Justice Fees,

10 50 '

$461 36

From contingent fund.

HALL.

$461 36

EXPENSES OF TOWN

Paid Robert Carter,

$138 38

Gas Bills,

149' 63

E. 0. Lovering, Coal,

70 00

Balance carried to contingent fund.

26 82

$385 35
$385 33

Receipts for use of Town Hall,

MISCELLANEOUS.

lid E. Folsom & Co.

$194 20

Insurance,

125 00

Kelly & Gardner,

80 64

John Johnston, ringing bell, 1875,

75 00

Moses N. Collins Post,

75 00

Chase Wiggin, Assessor,

62 00

W. H. Belknap, bal. Town Clerk 1875, 62 50

C. W. Young,

19 75

W. W. West,

15 66

C. G. Conner, Moderator,

15 00

Geo. W. Weston,

11 00

A. W. Dudley,

10 00

Frank Walker,

6 50

C. W. Young,

8 25

Auditors,

8 00

Perkins & Co.

3 25

Samuel Peavey,

2 61

J. P. Elkins,

1 75

Geo. W. Weston,

1 00

R. S. Peavey,

1 00

A. W. Dudley,

6 50

Banfield Fowestal & Co.

22 70

David M. Quimby,

25 00

John W. Getchell,

24 59

David E. Quimby,

3 60

I. M. Watson,

13 90

A. J. Currier,

15 00

Selectmen,

300 00

N. G. Gilman,

37 50

W. 0. Perkins,

39 75

Exeter Cornet Band,

10 00

Hannah Brown,

8 00

Charles Marseilles on account.

100 00

W. B. Morrill, >

88 30

Paid 0. L. Giddings,

R. M. Yale,

C. D. Towle,

A. J. Fogg,

Gilman Marston, on account.

lOR

Ellison & Warburton,

Insurance,

143

School Committee,

W. H. Belknap, Town Clerk,

195

Geo. E. Lane,

— — (P^jU^l tJ iJ

Appropriation,

1,800

From contingent fund,

241

— $2,041 92

SUPPORT OF THE

POOR.

Paid Mrs. John Leavitt,

$104 00

John C. Dutch, wood,

Eunice Bickford,

John C. Dutch, wood,

Mrs. Batchelder,

W. 0. Perkins,

Dr. C. C. Odlin,

Mary White,

Dr. A. Carroll,

Dr. C. C. Odhn,

14 67

Dr. E. Bartlett,

Crockett & Downing,

Boston & Maine Railroad,

Sarah Brown,

J. C. Dutch, wood,

Betsy 0. Marsh,

Kelly & Gai-dner,

4 94

Paid Exeter Gas Light Company,

Alva Wood, rent,

E. G. Lane,

Pinkham & Wingate,

Insane Asylum,

120

George W. Lane,

Estate Nathaniel Gilman,

225

B & M. Railroad,

F. M. Davis,

W. B. Morrill,

Edmund Thurston, taking care

of tramp

s 15

John Conner, "

Joseph A. Palmer, "

W. 0. Perkins,

((

Madison Sleeper, expense of tramp,

T. B. Iloyt,

Edmund Thurston,

Dr. E. Bartlett,

Overseers,

100 00

Balance carried to contingent

fund.

280

$1,440 70

Appropriation,

800

From County of Rockingham,

640 70

$1,440 70

RECEIPTS.

Taxes assessed for 1876, including
non-resident, highway and dog

taxes, $

131,217 10

Borrowed money,

2,200 00

Ilaih'oad tax,

1,771 72

Savings Bank tax,

1,076 21

Literary Fund,

235 35

Insurance tax.

7 50

United States, rent of Court Rooms,

200 00

Rent of Town Hall,

385 33

County of Rockingham,

640 70

Cement pipe.

33 75

Coupons,

90 00

Methodist Society, Concrete sidewalk, 17 60

School District, No. 1, rent of land.

60 00

Outstanding taxes,

8,352 88

Exhibitor's License,

2 00

Heirs of Joseph L. Cilley,

42 50

Engine Lot,

500 00

Cash on hand March 1, 1876.

4,759 88

$51,592 52

RECAPITULATION OF EXPENDITURES.

Paid State tax,

$4,900 00

County tax, 4,979 48

Town Bonds and Coupons, 3,401 00

Notes and interest, 3,228 98

Town Library, 500 00

Exeter Gas Light Co., 1875, 354 25

Discount on taxes, 532 73

Oliver L. Giddings, 1,000 00

faidJames Pike,

S. J. Perkins,

W. H. Harris,

Thomas Schenick,

Heii's to Samuel Mason,.

100

Non-resident tax worked out,

Building Committee,

500

Support of Schools,

7,968

Fire Department,

2,870

Highways & Bridges,

4,133

18 ■

Police and Constables

461

Expenses of Town Hall,

358

Miscellaneous,

2,041

Support of the poor,

1,160

Exeter Gas Light Co.

325

Abatement of taxes for 1869 & 1870

, 5s7

u u

1871,

• 373

U H

1872,

155

U ((

1873,

350

>< u

1874,

547

(( u

1875,

305

u u

1876,

Outstanding taxes,

1871,

(( (i

1872,

i( «

1873,

593

M ((

1874,

1,150

it <l

1875,

629

(( ((

1876,

4,016

Cash,

3,767

$51,592

Exeter, N. H., March 6, 1877.
We, the undersigned, have this day examined the accounts of
the town exhibited to us by the Selectmen, and find them well
vouched and correctly cast, and find three thousand seven hun-
dred and sixty -seven dollars and seventy-four cents ($3,707 74)
in the hands of the Selectmen.

JP:WETT CONNER, ) . ,.
WM. M. HUNNEWELL, j ^^"^*^<^^*-

TOWN INDEBTEDNESS. '

Town bonds, $33,100 00

Notes payable,

13,979 34

Coupons and interest,

1,200 00

Nancy G. Lovering, land damages,

40 00

Sundry Individuals, "

15 00

Bills outstanding, .

2,200 00

<tf50 '^^i ^A.

tff>0\JyOO^ 0*t

ASSETS OF THE TOWN.

Taxes 1871,

$83 53

" 1872,

94 90

" 1873,

593 17

" 1874,

1,150 86

" 1875,

629 01

" 1876,

4,016 21

County of Rockingham,

10 00

Sundry Individuals,

369 50

Bonds and other evidences of debt,

2,700 00

Cash,

3,767 74

$13,414 92

WILLIAM B. MORRILL, ) Selectmen
OLIVER L. GIDDINGS }■ of
NATHANIEL G. OILMAN,) Exeter.

CHIEF ENGINEER'S REPORT.

The Engines and fire apparatus of the department are in good
condition.

Several of the Reservoirs are of too small capacity to hold
water sufficient to supply the Steam Fire Engine, but by the ad-
dition of a few hundred feet of hose, which have been purchased
the last year so that the Steamer can be placed at those places
where there is an abundant quantity of water, it is believed a
larger portion of the town is better protected from fire than in
any former year.

The board of Engineers have reduced the number of firemen

during the year by taking five men from each the Fountain and

Union companies. The department has been called out seven

times at all of which the officers and members of the several

companies have been prompt and orderly and have returned their

apparatus to the places of deposite, always leaving the Engines

and apparatus in condition for immediate use. Especially are the

men belonging to the department to be commended for the neat

and orderly manner in wliich the property committed to their

charge is always to be found and for promptness and good order

in working at fires, and courtesy to the board of Engi^ieers when

on duty.

Respectfully Submitted,

B. L. MERRILL, Chief Engineer.

REPORT OF THE TOWN LIBRARY COMMITTEE,

FOR THE TEAR ENDING MARCH 13, 1877.

The Committee submit the following account of receipts and
expenditures for the past year :

RECEIPTS.
Cash on hand from last year, $ 39 86

Appropriation voted by the town, 500 00

Fines and catalogues, 5 03

6544 89

EXPENDITURES.

Paid Librarian's salary,

$125 00

Insurance,

18 75

Gas,

9 36

Fuel,

10 48

Binding old books,

15 00

Cleaning room.

8 79

Stationery and incidental expenses.

25 00

Preparing supplement,

25 00

Books,

231' 10

$468 48

Cash in hands of Committee,

76 41

$544 89
A Supplement to the Town Library Catalogue has been pre-
pared and is now in the printer's hands.

We respectfully recommend that $500 be raised for the sup-
port of the Library for the coming year.

B. L. CILLEY, I ^ ...

CHARLES MARSEILLES, ) ^<'^'""^«^-

ROBINSON FEMALE SEMINARY.

To the Selectmen of Exeter :

The Treasurer of the Robinson Female Seminary begs leave
to submit the following report of the receipts and expenditures
for the year ending March 1, 1877.

RECEIPTS.

Balance on hand March 1, 1876, $1878 70

Received from Dividends,

7805 00

Tuitions,

315 00

Sale of grass, &c., Semina-

ry grounds,

147 75

Rent of Pr. House,

118 03

Old books sold.

32 30

On Loan account,

250 00

For Twenty-five shares stock

in Metropolitan National

Bank, surrendered,

3125 00

$13671 78

PAYMENTS.

School Expenses.

Salaries of teachers, $7450 43

Engineer,

628 00

Janitress,

366 00

Fuel,

519 01

Gas,

30 18

French Class Entertainment,

32 50

Graduating Class Commencement expenses

3, 15 00

Exeter Cornet Band, " "

50 00

Diplomas, Commencement expenses,

4 43

Town Hall Expenses, " "

19 00

Police and attendance, " *•

11 00

Town Hall expenses and attendance, 1875,

24 25

Printing Catalogues,

62 50

" and advertising.

41 63

Photographs and framing, Centennial Ex.,

25 00

Binding specimen work for " "

14 50

Express and Exhibition expenses,

4 70

Travel on account of teacher.

4 50

Tuning Piano,

4 50

Express expenses on books, apparatus, &c.,

5 30

Chemicals,

11 82

Stationery,

27 41

Cartages and breaking roads,

18 75

RE.

$9370 41

SEMINARY FURNITU

Glass cases,

$37 00

Tellurium,

15 00

Clock,

7 00

$59 00

Seminary Library,

$106 44

School-book accounts,

$130 57

SEMINARY EDIFICE.

Painting, $24 65

Repairs of steam apparatus, - 22 86

Moving water ram in part, 14 70

$62 21

SEMINARY

Trees, shrubs, and plants,

Labor,

Gravel for roads, and cartage.

Printing posters, &c.,

GROUNDS.

$49 60

22 00

13 50

3 30

PRINCIPAL'S HOUSE.

Repairs on furnace, 43 50

" " sink, pump, 18 24

New register, 2 50

EXPENSE ACCOUNT.

Interest, $56 68

Treasurer's salary, 480 00

Secretary, 40 00

Expenses to New York on account of stocks, 41 95
Stock reports, postage and revenue stamps, 1 1 80

$88 40

$64 24

$630 43

$10511 70
Cash on hand, , $3160 08

$13671 78

The following exhibit of tlie past and present value of the in-
vested funds of the institution may be worthy of attention and
consideration :

STOCK IN THE NATIONAL BANK OF THE STATE
OF NEW YORK.

The original 200 shares paid regular dividends of 8 per cent,
per annum,' up to Nov. 1, 1875, amounting to $13,200 in 8^
years. A series of heavy losses compelled the Bank to reduce
its capital sixty per cent., and our stock stands on the books 80
shares at $100 each— $8,000. The latest quoted value is $121
each, or $9,680. No dividend was received during the year
past, but it is expected to divide its earnings at an early day.

STOCK IN THE NATIONAL MECHANICS' BANK-
ING ASSOCIATION.

This stock 130 shares at $50 each, or $6,500, has paid divi-
dends regularly to May, 1876, ten percent, to May, 1871, eight
per cent, to May, 1874, and six per cent, for two years, amount-
ing to $4,970. The dividend'of November last was passed, but
there is good reason to believe the Bank to be sound, though its
profits in the past years have been small. At the latest quotation,
$75 per share, the stock is worth $4875.

i^J

STOCK IN THE METROPOLITAN NATIONAL BANK,
NEW YORK.

This stock of which we held 100 shares has paid dividends of 12
and 10 per cent, per annum, or $10,000 in 9 years. The Bank [Ik/^
voted to reduce its capital one-fourth, paying back to stockholders /
$125 each, for the shares surrendered. Twenty -five shares were !^
therefore made over to the Bank, for which was received $3 125.

The stock is now 75 shares, and at the latest market value,
$134 per share is worth $10,050.

/uy !

^.-

STOCK IN MERCHANTS' NATIONAL BANK, OF
NEW YORK.

This stock, 150 shares at $50 each, — $7,500, has paid divi-
dends to the present time at the rate of ten per cent, for two and
one half years, and eight per cent, for seven years, amounting to
$5775. The present market value is $59^— $8925.

STOCK IN NATIONAL BANK OF COMMERCE,
NEW YORK.

This stock, 500 shares at $100 each — $50,000, has paid at
the rate of ten per cent, for three years, eight per cent, for five
years, seven per cent, for one year, and one semi-annual of
three per cent. The whole amount received is $40,000. The
present market value at $116 is $58,000. The directors propose
to reduce the capital of this Bank, but have not yet taken de-
cided action on the subject.

STOCK IN THE NATIONAL BANK OF NEW YORK.

This stock, 40 shares at $100— $4000, has paid the regular
dividend of ten per cent, per annum, except that of January,
1877, which was four per cent. The whole amount of dividends
received is $3,760. T-Jie present market value is $117— $4,680.

STOCK IN THE DELAWARE AND HUDSON CANAL
COMPANY.

This stock, 600 shares at $100 each,— $60,000, has paid
Two dividends, semi-annual, eight per cent. $9,600

One " " six " " 3,600

Fourteen « « five " " 42,000

One « « extra 4,000

One "- " August, 1876, four per ct. 2,400

$61,600
Profits from premiums on new stock sold, $23,700

$85,300
No dividend was paid in February of this year, and the mar-
ket value has fallen to $48 J per share, — $29,100.

The income of the Seminary, from the invested funds, for the
year just closed, is $7,805, against $13,740 for the year ending
March 1, 1876.

Respectfully Submitted,

CHARLES BURLEY, Treasurer.
Exeter, March 1, 1877.

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES.

To THE Town of Exeter : —

The Robinson Female Seminary has continued through the
past year with no change in the instructors, excepting that Miss
Ellen M. Bartlett resigned during the Fall term, and the lec-
tures given dui'ing the j^revious year in Physics and Chemistry
were discontinued after the close of the Summer term. Abner
Merrill, Esq., after serving the Town as a Trustee with . great
advantage to the Seminary and profit to the public from the
time when the Board was organized, resigned his office in Janu-
ary of the present year. The number at present belonging to
the Seminary in the different grades is as follows :
Grade 1, (the youngest) 39

2, 32

8, 35

4, 28

5, 11

6, 10

7, -14
8 11

180

Post Graduates, 15

Pupils from out of town, 20

No. of pupils in French and German, 106

No. of pupils in Latin, 27

Whole number of pupils the current year, 201

Students of Languages only, 21

No. graduated in June 1876, 11

At the beginning of the Fall term in September, provision
was made for giving instruction in French to the youngest pu-
pils. A correct pronunciation can be acquired much better at
an early age, and the general principles of the language can be
easily learned. Two classes were formed ; one of pupils from
the three lowest grades has had thirty-six members ; and one
from grades 4 and 5 has had seventeen. They have each had
two exercises a week mainly in speaking French, training par-
ticularly in the pronunciation. In the short time given to this
study with the long interval between recitations, there has not
been the opportunity for very grea advancement. Enough how-
ever has been done to justify the belief that the experiment of
allowing the study by pupils so young was a wise one, and that
much more time might profitably be given to it at this point in
the course of study.

The vacancy made by the resignation of Miss Bartlett was
not filled, for reasons that appear in the Treasurer's report.
She had the main supervision of Rhetoric, English Literature,
and Composition. A part of the work that came in her depart-
ment has been assumed by other teachers, but most of it has
been dropped altogether. There is nothing in the course of
study which when well conducted is capable of imparting to the
young ladies the elements of a better or more valuable cultux-e
than the exercises connected with this department. One teacher
might be well employed in Rhetoric and Composition, and noth-
ing else, for the entire year, giving to the pupils personal super-
vision and criticism, and aiding in the formation of correct litera-
ry taste and good habits of reading. We trust we may be able
to afford more advantages in this direction during the coming
year.

Instruction has been given in Natural History to the lower
grades of the school in a sei'ies of oral lessons given by Miss
Bridge during the season when specimens could be readily ob-
tained. These have been interesting and useful, and have served
to quicken the observing powers of the pupils and lead them to

27
acquire for themselves valuable information. The instruction in
the natural sciences is thorough and broad. The teachers take
the pupils outside of the text books in Chemistry and Physics
and impart a living knowledge of these subjects, which is likely
to be permanent, and prove an incentive for future study in the
same direction. There is need of fuller apparatus for illustra-
tion, especially in Physics. There is almost nothing to show the
results of the most recent theories in regard to heat and light ;
the means of exhibiting the qualities of Electricity are also spec-
ially defective.

The text books in use are some of them bad, particularly the
Readers for the lower grades. The selections are ill adapted to
the purpose for which they are employed and far inferior to those
used in our public schools. In view of the present condition of
the funds we would recommend that those members of the Semi-
nary who are able, should hereafter be required to furnish their
own text books and stationery. There are already some parents
who prefer that their children should own their books, and who
decline to receive them from the Town. We cannot see why
other interests should be sacrificed in order to supply books for
those who are perfectly well able to pay for them.

THE FINANCES.

One year ago the financial condition of the Seminary was re-
garded as excellent. A debt that for a long time was a serious
burden, had by close economy, been paid off. The Funds were
apparently yielding good interest, and there was a prospect that
there might be immediate provision made for extending and im-
proving the course of instruction. On the evening of the annual
Town meeting however, news came of the failure of a Bank in
which some of the funds were invested, by which there was a
considerable loss to us. Since that time the rapid depreciation
of the stock of the Delaware and Hudson Canal Co,, in Avhich
as seen from the Treasurer's report we have $60,000, has crip-

pled us in our resources and justly alarmed all who have an in-
terest in the welfare of the Seminarj. An examination of the
Treasurer's account will show that up to August last, this stock
had been a valuable investment. It came from the hands of the
Donor. The first year after it was received by the Trustees, it
paid a dividend of 16 per cent, per annum. Since that time for
nearly ten years, it paid a dividend of ten per cent, until last
August, when the last semi-annual dividend of four per cent, was
received. More than $85,000 has been realized from this stock
in the way of dividends and accrued profits, since it came into
our possession. There has been since the last dividend was paid
a gradual decline in the value of shares, until the quotations have
fallen to less than 50 per cent, of the par value. Of course it can be
seen that if a sale had been made one year ago we might have
been great gainers, but the previous good history of the invest-
ment, and the large dividends that had been declared, made the
Trustees reluctant to change the securities, unless upon a strong
probability, that it would be safe to do so. In view of the large
profits from the Company, and the confidence placed in it by
many of the ablest financiers, the calamity that has overtaken us
must be regarded as one that could no more be foreseen than the
destruction of property by hurricane or fire. The members of
the Board have given themselves to the careful investigation of
the affairs of the Company. The last published statements jus-
tify the hope that the stock will yet rally, and with an improve-
. ment in the business of the country, resume a sound footing.
We have two things to guard against : a hasty and unadvised
sale when the quotations are depressed, and likely to rise ; a
holding of the stocks longer when they touch a point above which
they will not probably go. To these two points the trustees in
co-operation with the best advice they could get, have applied
themselves. We have a deficiency of $6,000 in our annual
revenue. We desire to address ourselves to the best means of
pieetirig this deficiency, if possible, without impairing the useful-

ness and efficiency of the school. We shall do onr utmost to
effect this with the means at our command, and shall witness
with regret any measures that will impair the value of the institu-
tion, as a means of discipline and culture. We are therefore reluc-
tant to consider the reduction of the corps of teachers in numbers
or capacity. The real value of a school is largely independant of
expensive grounds and buildings. Put forty children into a clean
log-cabin well lighted, warmed, and ventilated, with a competent
kind-hearted instructor, and you do more for them, than when you
put them into a modern educational palace, with all the attrac-
tions of expensive architecture, and attractive grounds, but with
an indifferent teacher. We believe that the first thing to be se-
cured, and the last thing to be given up, is the faithful, capable
teacher. In our desire to economize, we doubt whether it will
be good economy, when so much money is invested in the grounds
and buildings and furniture, to lose the value of such investment
by failing to retain instructors worthy of so great an expenditure.
The vacancy in the Board of Trustees caused by the resignation
of Mr. Merrill, is to be filled at our annual meeting, and an elec-
tion made of a Trustee for seven years. We desire promptly
t6 organize, to take in hand all the expenses as indicated in the
Treasurer's report, cut them down to the lowest limit and do our
best to meet expenses by our income. If our institution is to be
at all worthy of the name of a Seminary it cannot lower the
grade of attainment now required. It should rather advance it
if it is to keep pace with other institutions designed to afford
young ladies the means of a higher education.

The Treasurer's report is made more than usually full, on ac-
count of our desire that the condition of all the funds should be
presented to the Town in the clearest light.

Afnong the men who have become votei'S in Exeter within the
last six or eight years are many who are not familiar with the
Will of Mr. Robinson, the Act of the Legislature in regai-d to it,
and the votes of the Town in reference to it. These are collect-

ed and published in this report in order to refresh ihe memories
of tliose who were voters when the bequest was received and to
give information to all that are interested. From this will be
seen : —

The exact purpose for which the money was given to the
Town.

The obligation which the Town assumed in reference to mon-
ey spent for other purj^oses besides the salaries of teachers.

The authority given to the Trustees and the duties imposed
upon them.

OILMAN MARSTON,

JOHN E. GARDNER,

ALBERT C. PERKINS, y Trustees.

WM. G. PERRY, I

SAMUEL W. LEAVITT, J

EXTRACT FROM THE WILL OF THE LATE
WILLIAM ROBINSON.

^^Fourth. — The residue or balance of my property, I give and
bequeath to the town of Exeter, in the State of New Hamp-
shire, and county of Rockingham, being the place of my nativ-
ity ; the INCOME of SAID property, and no more, to be appro-
priated forever, to the support of suitable and proper teachers
for the only and sole instruction of females ; and I most res-
pectfully suggest that in admitting applicants, all other things
being equal, always to give the preference to the poor and the
orphan. I exj)ect the town of Exeter will provide a suitable
building for a female seminary, and that the interest on the
amount of money it will receive from my estate, will be appro-
priated for the [)ayment of suitable teachers contemplated
by me to be employed in instructing females. If the inhabit-
ants of the town of Exeter act in accordance with my sugges-

tion, they will in a few years have a flourishing female seminary.
In my poor opinion, there is too much partaking of the fancy
in the education that females obtain, and I would most respect-
fully suggest such a course of instruction as will tend to make
female scholars equal to all the practical duties of life ; such a
course of education as will enable them to compete, and success-
fully too, with their brothers throughout the world, when they
have to take their part in the actual of Hfe.

I have given my mite for this purpose, and if good comes of
it I shall not have lived in vain. Having full confidence in the
following gentlemen, I take the libei'ty of appointing them exe-
cutors of this my last will and testament, to-wit : Hon. John
P. King, Col. Henry H. Gumming, and Maurice Wilkinson,
Esq.; and if practicable I beg them to act for me, and have the
intentions of my will carried out, which appear to me to be so
plain, that it will be almost impossible for any one to mistake."

An Act in Relation to the Robinson Female Semin-
ary.

Sec. 1. Be it enacted, by the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives in general court convened.

Whereas, WiUiara Robinson, a native of the town of Exeter,
in the county of Rockingham, has lately deceased, and by his last
will, after sundry devices and bequests, gave to said town all the
residue of his property and estate, in trust, to establish and main-
tain with the income thereof a school in said- town, for the edu-
cation of females, as provided in said will ; and

Whereas, said town have accepted said residiary legacy
upon said trust, have by a committee thereof, chosen for the
purpose, effected a compromise of cei'tain claims of the widow
of said Robinson and others against said estate, have by sun-
dry votes and resolutions determined to establish said school
under the name of " The Robinson Female Seminary," and

prescribed regulations for the admission of pupils therein, con-
fided the regulation and government thereof, and management
and control of the funds and property derived from said estate,
to a board of seven trustees, to be elected by said town, one at
each future annual meeting thereof and to hold office for seven
years, which board are to appoint a tieasurer of said Robinson
Female Seminary, prescribes the duties of said trustees and said
treasurer, — and elected the following persons to serve as such
trustees, namely : Abner Merrill, for seven years ; Joshua
Getchell, for six years ; Charles H. Bell, for five years ; Amos
Tuck, for four years ; Nathaniel Gordon, for three years ; Alva
Wood for two years, and Noah Hooper for one year, from the
second Tuesday of March, 1867, or until others are chosen and
qualified in their stead, respectively, who have been duly sworn
and entered upon their duties as said trustees, who have with
said trust-funds established a school in said town for the instruc-
tion of females, and have appointed Charles Burley treasurer
of said seminary, who has given bond as required by the vote
of said town ; therefore.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representativis in
general court convened :

Sec. 1. That the said town of Exeter be authorized and
empowered to accept, receive, and manage said property de-
rived from the estate of said William Robinson, upon the said
trust, and to establish and maintain said Robinson Female Sem-
inary from the income thereof, according to said votes and reso-
lutions, and any future votes of the town aforesaid, so far as the
same do not conflict with the provisions of said will and the
trust created by it, and to erect suitable buildings for said
seminary, and to hire money therefor by vote of the town, and
to appoint all such agents and officers, and to do all such acts as
may be necessary to carry out the intentions of said testator in
in regard thereto ; and that the said acts and doings of the town
and their committee, trustees, treasurer, and their agents in the

premises, be, and hereby are confirmed and made valid and
effectual, so far as the sarne are in accordance with the provis-
ions of said will, as if the same had been done under prior
authority given therefor by an act of the Legislature duly passed
and appi'oved ; and that the said persons elected as trustees, and
appointed treasurer, hold their said offices for the term, and with
the powers provided by said votes and resolutions of said town
respectively, so far as as they are consistent with the provisions
of said will ; and this act shall take effect upon its passage.
(Approved June 27, 1867.)

RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY THE TOWN,

November 24, 1866.
Resolved, That with the funds received or to be received from
the estate of the late William Robinson, the town of Exeter
proceed to establish an institution for the education of females,
and that in honor of the donor of the funds the same shall be
called " The Robinson Female Seminary."

November 24, 1866.

Resolved, Thai the arrangements a id character of said semin-
ary shall be such, that all female children, residents in Exeter,
not less than nine years of age, and qualified for admission to
the common grammar schools, shall have the privilege of admis-
sion to said seminary, frte of tuition and all other charges, and
to instruction therein in all the branches of a thorough educa-
tion ; and provision may be made for the instruction of other
females, on payment of tuition or otherwise, at ^e discretion of
the trustees. *

December 15, 1866.

Resolved, That the regulation and government of said semin-
ary be confided to a board of seven trustees, serving as such
without compensation, selected without regard to religious or

party divisions, citizens of Exeter, who shall be chosen by ballot
by the legal voters of the town, and after the first election shall
be chosen at the annual State elections, and shall hold office for
seven years, in such manner that one vacancy and one election
shall take place annually after the next annual meeting ; and it
shall be the duty of the selectmen, after the election of the first
board of trustees, to determine by lot the term of time for which
one of those trustees shall hold ofiice, so that oue shall go out of
office annually. In all cases of vacancy in the office of trustee,
the selectmen shall fill the same by appointment, until the next
annual meeting, at which time the town shall make a new elec-
tion. Said trustees shall have the usual power of trustees in
such cases in regard to the employment of teachers and the
general oversight of the afinirs of said seminary, subject to in-
•u5 ^'y '^'y^*' structions by votes of the town upon all subjects ; and if any
.<^^ /*L- ' ' trustee or trustees shall refuse or neglect to act in accordance
with such votes of the town, or shall conduct improperly in the
opinion of the town, either in regard to the investment of the
funds or the management of the school, the town may remove
such trustee or trustees by vote and elect others in their place,
at any annual or other town meeting, an article having been in-
serted in the warrant for that purpose.
• f No sale of securities and no investment of funds shall be

^■"^ ^ made without written authority, signed by at least four of the

C C«:'">'v Hc^t^T trustees, filed with the treasurer, and a memorandum thereof
with the names of the signers entered upon the books of the
treasurer, and no part of said funds shall e\rer be loaned to any
of the trustees. It shall be the duty of said trustees to apply to
the next session of the. Legislature, to be held in June next, for
the passage of such act as may be necessary to enable the town
to establish a school for the instruction of females, agreeably to
the will of the late William Robinson, and to appoint all neces-
sary officers and agents, and prescribe their duties for the man-

agement of the same, and confirming such action as the town
may have taken on the subject.

December 15, 1866.
Resolved, That the treasurer shall be appointed by the trus-
tees, shall give a bond for the faithful discharge of his duties in
the sum of $50,000, with surities approved by the trustees and
the selectmen of the town, and shall have the. custody of the
funds of the institution, and receive and pay out all moneys.
He shall make a report annually to the trustees and to the
selectmen, setting forth the condition of the fund, a list of the
investments and the several amounts thereof, and the aggregate
amount of the whole, the arreages of interest due on any por-
tion thereof, and the amount and character of the expenditures
for the year preceding. It shall be the duty of the treasurer
whenever requested by the selectmen, to exhibit to them his
books and papers, and to give them full information in regard to
all things respecting said funds ; and it shall be the duty of the
selectmen, in case of the discovery of any diversion or any mis-
management of the funds, to take measures to remedy the same
by application to the courts for an injunction, or for the removal
of the trustees according as in their judgment the case may
require.

December 15, 1866..

Whereas, The legacy given to the town by the late Mr.
Robinson amounted in one year after his death, when it became
payable, to much less than $200,000, and since then a large
amouut of income has accrued therefrom, which is not required
for the payment of. teachers for the school contemplated by him ;
and

Whereas, The future income of the sum of $200,000 will, if
prudently managed, leave a yearly surplus after the payment of
the current compensation of teachers in said school, and

Whereas, A considerable yearly sum is expected to be
derived from the tuition of pupils from abroad in said school,

which said accrued income, said future surplus income, and said
tuition money are understood to be properly and legally applica-
ble to any purposes in general furtherance of the design and
interests of said school; thei'efore.

Resolved, That the town will set aside and treat as the capital
of the Robinson fund the sum of $200,000, and will apply the
balance over that sum of the funds which may be receivecl from
Mr. Robinson's estate, the future surplus income of said capital,
and the money received for tuition as aforesaid, to the purchase
of real estate, the erection and furi^ishing of buildings, and the
procuring of books and apparatus for said school. And the
trustees are authorized to use a portion of said fund, to an
amount not exceeding forty-five thousand dollars for that pur-
pose, which amount and interest thereon at six per cent, per
annum, shall be repaid from said future surplus income and said
tuition'money as speedily as may be.

August 29, 1867.
Voted that any four of the trustees for the time being, of the
Robinson Female Seminary, be authorized and empowered to
/Av{ 'txO transfer in writing in the name and behalf of the town, the
bank stocks and other stocks which were assigned to the town
from the estate of William Robinson by his executor, Maurice
Wilkinson, and any other stocks and securities Avhich may here-
after be obtained, with the proceeds thereof, or of funds derived
from said estate.

August 29, 1867.

Voted that the selectmen of the town be, and they are hereby
authorized and instructed to borrow of the trustees of the
Robinson Female Seminary out of that portion of the income
of the funds of said seminary which remains after all expendi-
ture for the support of teachers has been made in accordance
with the will of the donor of said funds, a sum not exceeding
fiftv thousand dollars, the same to be used in erecting suitable

wv;

buildings and providing suitable furniture and apparatus for
said seminary. And that the selectmen give to said trustees
the note or obligation of the town for said money whereby the
town shall be bound to pay interest upon the money thus bor-
rowed to said trustees, whenever in the judgment of said trus-
tees said interest shall be needed for the support of suitable and
proper teachers for the instruction of females, according to the
intention of the donor of said funds.

And the selectmen are hereby authorized and instructed, to
pay over said money when borrowed to said trustees and take a
receipt therefor, signed by said trustees, specifying the purpose
for which it is received by them, which receipt shall be recorded
upon the records of the town.

And that the said trustees be, and they are hereby authorized
and instructed with the money thus received from the selectmen,
to erect or cause to be erected suitable buildings for said semin-
ary upon the lot of land purchased for that purpose, and to
provide suitable furniture and apparatus for the same.

And it shall be the duty of the trustees of said seminary to
take and hold said note or obligation of the town for said money,
and whenever the interest upon the saine or any part thereof,,
shall in their judgment be needed for the support of teachers or
for the benefit of said seminary, according to the intention of the
donor of said funds, to collect the interest from the town or so
much thereof as may be necessary, calling u})on the selectmen
for the same, and it shall be the duty of the selectmen when
thus called upon to pay said interest, and they are hereby
authorized to hire money on the credit of the town for that pur-
pose.

November 3, 1868.

Resolved, That in addition to the sum of $50,000 specified by

a vote of the town passed on the 29th day of August, 18'i7, the

selectmen be, and they are hereby authorized and instructed to

borrow of the trustees of the Robinson Female Seminary out

of that portion of the funds of said seminary which remains
after all expenditures for the support of teachers has been made
in accordance with the will of the donor of said funds, a sum
of money sufficient to complete the seminary building now in
process of construction, to furnish the same with all necessary
apparatus, and to put the walks, grounds and fences belonging
to the town, for the use of said seminary, in proper condition.
Provided, however, that in no case shall the trustees be allowed
to reduce the capital of the seminary below the sum of $200,-
000, as specified in the vote of the tow;^. heretofore passed.

And that the selectmen give to said trustees, the note or obli-
gation of the town for said money, whereby the town shall be
bound to pay interest upon the money thus borrowed, to said
trustees, whenever in the judgment of said trustees said interest
shall be needed for the support of suitable and proper teachers
for the instruction of females, according to the intention of the
donor of said funds.

And the selectmen are hereby authorized and instructed, to
pay over said money when borrowed to said trustees and to take
a receipt therefor, specifying the purpose for which it is received
by them, which receipt shall be recorded upon the records of the
town.

And the said trustees are hereby authorized and instructed to
expend the money thus received according to the true intent of
the town in the premises ; and to hold the note or obligation of
the town for the purposes more fully set forth in the vote of the
town in relation to said $50 000.

November 3, 1868.

Voted that the trustees of the Robinson Female Seminary
be authorized to furnish the children of poor parents attending
school at said seminary, with school books, upon application
being made to them for that purpose.

March 9, 1869.

Voted that the trustees of the Robinson Female Seminary

furnish books and stationery for all the scholars of this town,
attending said school.

March 8, 1870.

Voted that the trustees of the Robinson Female Seminary be
directed to prepare and present to the town at least one week
befoi'e each annual election, a full report of the progress and
condition of the school under their charge.

Resolved, That all scholars attending the seminary and board-
ing in town, whose parents are not actual residents of Exeter
shall pay tuition, «&c., the same as other non-residents, and in
cases of charity it be left discretionary with the trustees, and
that any scholar refusing to pay tuition for the present term,
shall be expelled from the school at once.

RE PORT

OF THE

Superintending School Connmittee.

To THE Town op Exeter : —

The Superintending School Committee submit the follow-
ing report :

In April, 1876, the Selectmen reported the whole number
of children between the ages of five and fifteen to be 580.

The largest number reported as attending any one term be-
tween the ages above named, is 499.

To account for the discrepancy, the large number of pupils
in the Seminary belong to the town, under fifteen years of age,
should be considered

The teachers for the year just closing, have been as fol-
lows :, —

High School. — Mr. Albion Burbank. *

Grammar School. — Mr. Sperry French.

Spring Street, Intermediate. — Miss Maria A. Buckingham.

Spring Street, Primary.— ^Mls,?, Fannie Conner — Miss Jen-
nie Harvey.

Plains Intermediate. — Miss Clara A. Haley.

Plains Primary^ — Miss Mary A. Burnham.

Hall Place. — Miss Sarah Caverno.

Prospect Hill. — Mrs. Kate H. Davis.

Grove Street.— ^M-is?, Josephine A. Dustin.

School Street. — Miss Ellen M. Chase — Miss Annie R.
Dearborn.

District No. 3. — Miss Alia A. Norris — ,Miss Lydia B.
Judkins.

District No. 4. — Mrs. Ellen A. Bickford — Miss Stella C.
Larkin.

District No. 5. — Miss Sarah K. Stevens — Miss Ida M.
Sinclair.

District No. 6. — Miss Cleora F. Kimball.

As the Winter term is not finished when this report goes to
the printer, the statistics for the entire year, cannot be given.
The following table presents the attendance «&;c., for the first two
terms.

rn"

i-i

»i-t

o .

J= 0)

u
72

o J<S

m
!3

O P

1-1
60

»<

•ti

l-J

«<1

High School

1st Term.
2d, Term.

Dictrict No. 6.

1st. Term.
2d. Term.

Grammar School.

1st Term.
2d. Term,

Spring Street,

Intermediate School.

1st Term.
2d. Term.

Spring Street,
Primary School,

1st Term,
2d, Term.

Plains, Intermediate,
2d. District.

1st
2d,

Term,
Term.

Plains

Primary School,

1st,
2d.

Term.
Term.

Hall Place,

1st,
2d,

Term,
Term.

Prospect Hill,

1st
2d.

Term,
Term,

Grove Street,

1st
2d.

Term,
Term,

School Street,

1st
2d.

Term,
Term,

District No. 3.

1st
2d.

Term,
Term,

District No. 4,

1st
2d,

Term,
Term.

District No. 5.

1st
2d.

Term.
Term.

33 i

—

32 7

37 7

5?,

35 5

17 7

38 5 43

31 8

10 2

3 2

5 8

17 13 5

25 22 4

24 22 1

l24

24|16|19

The Public Schools of Exeter as at present arranged consist
of one High School for boys, one Grammar School for boys, two
Intermediate Schools and six Primary Schools ; these are near
the centre of the town. Besides there ai-e four schools of mixed
grades in the outlying districts.

THE HIGH SCHOOL.

This school has continued under the charge of Mr. Burbank,
who in previous years has led the young men in thorough profit-
able work. The same elements of fidelity and conscientious care
that have ever marked the instruction given by the present
Principal, have been apparent during the past year. There has
been no effort made for mere display ; the aim of teacher and pu-
pils has been steady and uniform towards useful culture. A
good spirit pervades the atmosphere of the school, and an honor-
able ambition is manifest in the general bearing of the scholars
and the earnestness with which they set themselves to their stud-
ies. Mr. Burbank has a most happy faculty of enlisting the best
efforts of his pupils in the work to which he calls them, and mak-
ing the discipline of the school, which is always excellent, take
care of itself, with little or no apparent effort on his part.

The course of study is designed particularly to give instruc-
tion in higher English branches, and such a general education as
shall prepare our young men for the requirements of business.
It covers three years and in the main branches taught is as fol-
lows :

FIRST YEAR,

First Term, Arithmetic, Book Keeping, English Grammar.
Second Term, Algebra, English Language, Natural History,
Third Term, Algebra, Nat. Philosophy, Physiology.

SECOND YEAR,

[ First Term, Algebra, Latin, Physical Geography.
Second Term, Astronomy, Latin, Geometry.
Third Term, Geometry, Latin, Chen^istry.

THIRD YEAR,

First Term, Geometry, Mental Philosophy, Geology.

Second Term, Trigonomety, Moral Philosophy, English Lit-
erature.

Third Term, Surveying, Political Economy, Botany.

Exercises in vocal culture, composition and declamation, and
writing are given through the entire course. An examination of
this course shows that special attention is given to Mathematics,
and that time enough is given to the Natural Sciences to make
a good beginning in each of them. It is not attempted to include
an extended course in Latin, but simply to afford the opportuni-
ty to broaden the training in language, give a more thorough un-
derstanding of Grammar, and some knowledge of deviation.
Eight young men were graduated last June, sixteen were ad-
mitted in September. It is to be regretted that a larger number
do not accept the advantage which this school affords, for secur-
ing the training needed for business and the practical duties of
good citizenship. Under the administration of the present Prin-
cipal the school holds a high rank. It is hoped that the young
men and their parents, more generally than they have done, will
see the advantage to be derived from the knowledge and disci-
pline acquired here, and that in future years the number of those
who enjoy the instructions given may be much increased.

THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
Pupils are received into this school, upon examination, from
the Intermediate schools. The large number that presented
themselves last Summer, and passed the examination, so increas-
ed the size of the school as to make it unmanageable in the hands
of any ordinary teacher. Nearly a hundred boys, at an age
when they are, and ought to be, by nature uneasy and restless,
present a formidable task to the one who undertakes to become
their sole manager and instructor. Mr. French has shown him-
self fully equal to this difficult work. A high average of daily
attendance has been maintained, the order of the school-room

has been excellent, and the instruction thorough aaid carefuL
The teacher has given to his pupils much time outside of the
regular school hours, and thus shown his interest in keeping up
the standard of scholarship. The pupils have been well instruct-
ed in all the branches taught, and have learned many things
that cannot be derived from books alone. The personal influ-
ence of the teacher is of inestimable value to the boys at the
age, when their characters are most easily impressed. Mr.
French possesses the favor of stamping the image of his own
energy, promptness, and earnestness upon his pupils. The mor-
al standard is high and improving, and the general tone of the
§chool-room is bracing and lively. Probably but few of our citi-
zens fully realize how much a teacher like Mr. French, with
from seventy-five to ninety boys under his charge, is worth to
the cause of good morals and a law abiding spirit in our town.

SPRING STREET SCHOOL.

Miss. Buckingham has fully sustained her past reputation,,
which was well won. She has made good use of the mate-
I'ial placed in her hands. In the personal examination given in
June, upon which the pupils were proaaoted, there was a- readi-
ness and thoroughness that were extremely gratifying.

Miss. Conner resigned her position as teacher in the Primary
department at the end of the Fall term. The Committee had a.
difficult task before them in securing one who would carry on
the work, so well done for several years by Miss Conner. Miss
Harvey who was elected to fill the vacancy has had previous ex-
perience in town, and is filling the place satisfactorily.

THE PLAINS INTERMEDIATE,

Miss Haley has continued in charge of the school. Her pu-
pils have exhibited the results of patient care and skill. The
daily work has been well done, and the pupils from this school
who were examined for admission to the Seminary and the High
School, showed a good practical knowledge of what they had
been taught.

THE PLAINS PRIMARY.
Mrs. Burnham has shown herself well adapted to the work
I'equired of her in this school. She began to teach here in Sept.
1875, and has therefoi'e been in her school for a shorter time
than most of our teachers. The little boys and girls at once re-
cognized in her one who would be their friend as well as their
teacher. She has from the first admirably sustained both rela-
tions to her pupils. Her evident desire to promote the welfare
of the school has been well fulfilled. Her taste and gentle man-
agement have kept her school in good condition, and secured con-
stant progress.

THE GROVE STREET PRIMARY.

We can renew the commendation of Miss Dustin and her
school that was expressed in the report of last year. Hardly a
day passes in which there is not some new object presented to
awaken the interest and quicken the zeal of tlie little learners.
The scholars are kept busy and cheerful ; they accomplish a
good deal of hard work, and they do it without any of the fret-
ting and worry that are the bane of many schools. The teacher
is wholly in sympathy with her school, understands the needs of
it, and studies in an intelligent conscientious way to meet those
needs, and keep herself well informed about the best methods of
teaching. It is rarely the case that a school is found in which
the pupils so generally enjoy their studies, and which is so free
from any appeal to motives that are degi'ading or likely to make
the children over anxious. The best elements of the Kindergar-
ten system have been joined to the ordinary school work, and as
a result there is a healthful development of the capacities of the
children.

HALL PLACE.

This school has greatly improved during the year under the
instruction of Miss Caverno. The manners of the pupils and
their appearance in recitation have completely changed for the
better.

PROSPECT HILL.
Mrs. Davis had held this school well under control, and de-
voted herself with the best results, to the welfare of her pupils.
There is complete sympathy between the teacher and taught, and
the work goes on easily with constant progress.

SGHOOL STREET PRIMARY.

Miss Chase continued in charge of this school through the
Summer while it was in the dwelling house on Front Street.
At the beginning of the Fall term the new school-house was
ready and the school was opened there under the instruction of
Miss Dearborn. She has been very successful with her pupils
and is devoting herself well to the interests of the school.

DISTRICT No. 3.

This School is made up of pupils who are scattered over a
wide extent of territory, and some of them live a long way from
the school-house.

Under the charge of Miss Norris during the Summer term
the instruction was not wholly satisfactory. Miss Judkins
during the Fall term conducted the school successfully.

DISTRICT NO. 4.
Mrs. Bickford, who had been in this school the previous year,
was the teacher during the Summer term. In the Fall term,
Miss Larkin made a beginning of her work as a teacher.
Though the numbers were very small. Miss Larkin showed her
capacity to teach well. Of course where there are only four or
five pupils, the relation between teacher and scholars can
be more familiar than in a school of much larger numbers,
and the same kind of discipline is not in all its details nec-
essary or desirable. The scholarship shown by her upon her
examination for a certificate, and the spirit of her instructions,
make it evident that she well deserves a larger school.

DISTRICT No. 5.

The school in District No. 5 was kept twenty-one weeks of
Spring and Autumn, and will close the Winter term about the
16th of March. The committee have good reason to approve
the course of instruction followed by Miss Sinclair, and feel
sure that if allowed to remain in charge of the school, a more
decided improvement will be manifested. The position of
teacher, always more or less trying, should be respected by every
person in the district, and that parent makes a great mistake
who allows his child to disregard, in the least degree, the reason-
able requirements of a fair-minded teacher. If questions arise,
justice demands a hearing from both sides, and the committee is
the only party to whom complaints should be made. Children
certainly are not benefitted by hearing prejudiced statements
about their teacher, and the progress is often effectually checked
by the thoughtless criticisms of those whose duty is to help in
every possible way.

DISTRICT No. 6.

In District No, 6, the school has been kept 22 weeks in Sum-
mer, and Autumn, and six weeks of Winter term, ending Feb. 16.
Miss Kimball the ieacher, has succeeded well in exciting an in-
terest among the scholars, and the committee are pleased to note
improvements in deportment as well as in recitations.

This school, and indeed all of our primary schools are sadly
wanting in apparatus for the special benefit of the younger
scholars. Every one must see that a daily session of five to six
hours is a serious matter to a child just learning to spell out
words of one syllable. He cannot keep still, and give his atten-
tion to such work for any length of time ; there must be variety,
and a few dollars laid out in books of pictures of animals, or
birds, and in blocks, cards &c., such as are found in all the best
primary schools of our country, would go very far to aid our
teachers in imparting useful knowledge to these little people,
while they tend to keep them interested in their school.

GENEEAL EEMARKS.

During the past year there have been improvements in school
buildinors. An effort was made in the last report to set forth
s>me existing defects, and an appeal was made for better rooms
and better ventilation. There was a prompt and generous re-
sponse. An additional lot of land was purchased for the Spring
Street School,, a new outbuilding was erected, the interior of the
house was improved, and in every way greater comfort was se-
curid. Repairs were made on the other school-houses, and the
Robinson ventilators were applied to most of them. With a
little caution and supervision on the part of the teachers, the
rooms cnn now be kept properly warmed and ventilated, and
safe for the health of" the pupils. Besides these repairs a new
ho'ise has be'.n built on School Street for a Primary School.
The only place that is now crowded so much as to need attention
is the Grammar School. Here, from the whole number of
ninety-one, there has been an average attendance of eighfy-three.
If the number of pupils continues so large as it has been, there
will be need of dividing the school or giving to Mv. French an
assistant teacher. Another teacher would call for another room,
which, perhaps, might be joined to the present Grammar school-
room. It was proposed, at the beginning of the Fall term, to
allow a part of the lowest class in the Grammar School to re-
main in the Plains Intermediate School and take the same
studies that Mr. French's scholars were taking. This plan,
however, did not seem to meet the approval of the parents of the
pupils, and it was thought best not to insist upon a course that
would cause permanent discontent. We call the attention of the
District to this subject, and trust that the best means may be ap-
plied to relieve the crowded condition of the room.
^ During the past year our schools have been interrupted and
deeply affticted as they have hardly ever been before. The ter-
rible diphtheria that prevailed in the early part of the Winter,
cut down some of the brightest and best of our i)recious children.
Next to the stricken homes their absence is felt in our school-

rooms. Parents were justly anxious about exposing tlaeir chil-
dren to J inger of contagion, and the dimlnishe.1 attendance in
some of our schools during the Winter term is thus accounted for.

The out-buildings in some of the dis.tricts require attention to
make them more convenient and decent. Tiiis is a point that
has previously been touched upon in other reports, 1 in which
great improvement has Ijeen made since the last report was pre-
sented. We hope tliose who have neglected tliis subject will fol-
low the example of others who have made the much needed im-
provement.

Several of the schools had special exercises at the close of the
Summer term, to which parents and friends were invited. Tliey
were of great interest to the pupils and their friends and we be-
lieve might well be introduced into all our schools. There
has been no effort to present in two or three hours the
result of a year's work nor anything like a special examination ;
a few recitations and short dialogues varied with singing and the
repeating from memory of brief selections, have made an occa-
sion that the childron will not soon forget. Anything that will
bring parents into the schoolroom, face to face with the teacher
and scholars, is of value in many w^ays, and promotes the inter-
ests of teachers and pupils alike.

We believe the schools are, on the whole, in a better condi-
tion than they were a year ago. We are convinced that much
of the improvement is due to the wisdom and liberality of Dis-
trict No. 1 in making needful improvements on school buildings,
and the public spirit of the town at large in the increased appro-
priation made for school purposes. There is need of constant
care and effort to sustain them in their present good condition,
and to secure still further improvement and a wider interest in
what our schools are doing ; to this end we invite the aid of our
fellow-citizens. Respectfully submitted,

ALBERT C. PERKINS,
CHARLES BURLEY,
GEO. A. TITCOMB.

REPORT

OF THE

Prudential Committee of School District No. 1.
For the Year Ending March 17, 1877,

RECEIPTS.

Rec'd From Selectmen of Exeter, ^7052 57

Balance from Prudential Committee, 1875, 8 ]5
Tuition High and Grammar Schools,

Rec'd from John J. Scammon, $35 00

Charles N. Healey, 0 00

David C. Hawes, 40 GO

Richard Scammon, 1875, 10 00

« « 1876, 10 00

$125 00

Rec'd from Mr. Brown, Old Shed Prospect Hill, $8 75

Mr. J. P. Elkins, Shed HaU Place, $5 00

$7199 47

p:xpenditures.

Paid Mr. Albion Burbank, $1600 00

Mr. Sperry French,
Miss Maria A. Buckingham,
Clara A. Haley,
Miss Sarah Caverno,
Miss Josephine A. Dustin,
Miss Mary A. Burnham,
Mrs. Kate H. Davis,
Miss Fannie E. Conner,
Miss Annie R. Dearborn,
Miss Ellen M. Chase,
Miss Jennie Harvey,
Town of Exeter, rent land,
Stephen Dudley, sawing wood,
National Granite State Bank, interest
J. W. Moulton, wood,
J. C. Dutch, wood,
G. W. Weston,
Mrs. Lois Atherton, cleaning school

houses,
Mrs. E. B. Chase, storage of desks,
J. L. Hammett, maps,
Boston & Maine, freight,

C. H. Palmer, repairs,
Samuel Greenleaf, sawing wood,
J. D. P. Wingate, printing report,
Steele & Carlisle, suppHes,

; Stephen A. Crummett, labor,

Christepher EUiott, labor,
Wm. H. Harris, wood.

D. M. Quimby, repairing clock,
Steele & Carlisle, stove,

1500

450

390

360

324

250

216

108

t, 34

22 00
1 50

24 30
1 95
1 50
9 25
5 00

24 09
1 95
1 70

30 81
1 50

13 30

John W. Getchell, hardware and stove, 39 80

Paid Kelly & Gardner, supplies,

John H. Caswell, sawing wood,

Wm. H. Harris, wood,

John C. Dutch, wood,

Zebulon G. Thyng, wood,

Care of school-rooms,

L. B. Smith, wood,

Jewett Conner, wood,

W. E. Talbot, wood, -

Eben Folsom & Co., keys,

Thomas G. Lang, sawing wood,

William A. Moore, " "

Charles Lane,

Porter & Thyng, supplies,

George E. Lane, "

George W. Wiggin, tuition received

from Richard Scaramon,
Daniel Sanborn, shoveling snow,
J. C. Dutch, wood.
Brown & Warren, wood,
J. L. Hammett, globe and blackboard, 35 00
George W. Wiggin, wood, 12 00

Assignees of W. 0. Haskell & Son,

settees, 11 25

Revenue and postage stamps, 1 50

$6715 89

OUTSTANDING BILLS FOR 1875.
Paid George W. Wiggin. wood, $217 00

Town of Exeter, rent of land, 30 00

Osgood Marsh, 2 18

Nathan T. Batchelder & Son, rent, 72 00
Steele & Carlisle,. 23 56

Paid Ammi K. "Wiggin,

6 40

D. M. Quimby,

4 00

Exeter Iron Foundry,

2 25

Kelly & Gardner,

50 63

Gectf-ge E. Lane,

40 29

Wm. B. Morrill, clock.

4 00

$452 31

$7168 20

Total amount of Receipts,
" " " Expenditures,

Balance in hands of Committee,

$7199 47

$7168 20

$31 27

SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS.
At a District Meeting held July 1, the following sums were
voted :

Five Hundred Dollars to purchase the Batchelder lot for the
location of a Primary School-house.

Fifteen Hundred Dollars to build a new Primary School-
house on the Batchelder lot.

Twenty-five Hundred Dollars to repair and improve School
Buildings.

Three Hundred Dollars to purchase land for enlarging the
Spring Street lot.

In accordance with the above votes the Prudential Committee

have expended the following sums :

Paid Josiah Batchelder, for land, $500 00

George W. Weston, recording deed, 70

Brown & Warren, contract, 1039 82

.^7

Paid Nathan T. Batchelder & Son, contracl. 200 00

Assignees of Wm. 0. Haskell & Son. dt^sk-. 76 08

" •' tahl.N 10 00

Boston & Maine Railroad Company. l'r<M<rlil. 1 30

Telegraphing, 40

The heirs of" Nathaniel GiLmaii. for laud 300 00

Brown & Warren, Grove Street. 27 00

U. S. Ventilator Co., ventilators, 260 00

Seavey & Co., Register, 26 7<S

George W. AVeston, recor.ling d'fd, 1 00

Brown & Warren, High and Grammar. 24 00
Assignees of Wra. O. Haskell & Son, B. I!, pap.-i-, 4 00

Perkins Express Comj)any. ] 6."i

Boston <fc Maine Railroad Company. lr<-iij:}ii. 8 ()9

Stult & Co., hardware, 1<> 00

Stephen A. Crnmmett, labor. 2 '07

Charles E. Davis, hanging papcM-, 15 16

W. O. Perkins, painting, 88 50

George D. C'riiminett, labor. 5 38

( '. W. Yomig, contract, 460 00

stock and labr>r, 105 80

Asa Jewell, sjtpfitications. 22 00

B. J. Pei-kins. pumps. &<.:, • 19 00

Porter & Tiiyng. room papet 23 48

John Flood, labor, 10 12

Charle.-" Flood, labor, 8 25

Smith & Palmer, contract, itc, 26(> 57

W.'eks^t Staples, contract, 110 00

stock and iaboj-, *>1 20

J. VV. Hall, labor, 2 00

Rovvell & Sleeper, posts. 4 60

Interest, 111 11

John Tillon, gravel, 17 00

Wm. W. West, rt^pairing pnmps, Aic, 8 25

.•>s

C. W. Young, -tock and lal>oi\
I. M. Watson & Son, ijainting,
Sainut'l Holmes, stock and labor.
T'lioinas G. Lang, labor,
Aumii U. VViggin, re|)airs.
.fo>c|ili StH|)l(^s. gi-avel.
SanuK'l Holnifs, stock and labor.
Kxeter Iron Fonndrv. iron sink^.
.Jacol) (lariisle. lumber,
•lohii VV. Gctchell. Iiardware,
Charles Marseilles, printing,

Kellv Ot Gardner, hardware, &e..

County of Rockingham, i-xpense on t'eui-e.

C harles O. Smith, labor,

llnnvn it Warren, lal»or,

J. L. Haunnctt, ilesks for Grannimr,

B. G. Puiington, stating glas*.

Rev< nue stamps,

John G. C. Lord, setting glass.

Palmer &. Taylor, labor,

•J. L. Hiunmett, de.~ks (Tranunar.

•28

4 00

l'>

198

$4;}7H 00

1' ).Uil amount of special appropriations. $4800 00

Tot^^i amount of expenditures, including interest ace'l. $4378 00
Cost of new school-hou,»e, $1239 82

A.U i>f vvhicl\ is Respectfully Submitted.

JOSEPH W. MEPvRlLL..lK., ) Prudential

GEO. A. WENTWORTH. \

W. N. DOW, ) Committee.

Internet Archive Audio

Featured

Top

Images

Featured

Top

Software

Featured

Top

Books

Featured

Top

Video

Featured

Top

Mobile Apps

Browser Extensions

Archive-It Subscription

Save Page Now

Full text of "Receipts and expenditures of the Town of Exeter"

See other formats